Man shot near motorcycle club may recover

CANAAN, Maine — The victim of a shooting outside a Hell’s Angels motorcycle club last Thursday is expected to recover from his injuries, according to Stephen McCausland, a spokesman for the Maine State Police.

McCausland said Monday that Watson’s injuries were not expected to be life-threatening. Asked about the investigation into the incident, McCausland said detectives still were pursuing leads in an effort to identify the assailant. They also are working to establish the motive for the crime, including whether a rival motorcycle gang was involved.

Lt. Gary Wright, who leads the state police criminal investigation division, told the Bangor Daily News last week that involvement by a rival motorcycle gang was “something to consider based on the circumstances.” McCausland confirmed Monday that Watson was a member of the Hell’s Angels club where he was shot, but declined to answer detailed questions about the shooting.

“There’s not much new to report at this point,” said McCausland.

Watson was found at about 5:30 p.m. in the driver’s seat of his truck, which was parked broadside across Route 23, known locally as Hinckley Road. A neighbor who came to Watson’s aid said she heard multiple gunshots and saw bullet holes in the rear window and driver’s side mirror of Watson’s truck. She said Watson, whom she knows, had been shot in the neck.

The crime occurred in the driveway of a Hell’s Angels clubhouse, which Wright said has no mailing address. Watson was shot outside a heavy chain-link gate that separates the clubhouse from the road.

Detectives have asked anyone who saw people or vehicles at or near the crime last Thursday to call 624-7076.